Child & Youth Services (CYS)

Our mission is to:

• Enhance readiness and well being by reducing the conflict between mission and family responsibilities.
• Facilitate family self reliance and reinforce Army values.
• Ensure availability of predictable programs and services for children ages 6 weeks through 18 years old.
• Establish and maintain Child & Youth Services (CYS) program quality as a benchmark for the nation in accordance with statutory requirements, DoD policy, and Army Standards. CYS programs seek to “inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potentials as productive, responsible, and caring citizens”.
• Enhance the development of children and youth. Maintain affordable child and youth programs and services for both the Army and parents.

 “The Military Child Development Program is a model for the nation for providing high-quality affordable childcare.” Senate Report 107-62, National Defense Authorization Act 2002

CYS recognizes the challenges of our Soldiers and their Families. By offering quality programs and accountability for children and youth, CYS reduces the conflict between mission readiness and parental responsibility!

• Quality - Child care is DOD-certified and nationally accredited.
• Availability - Child care is available on- and off-post
• Affordability - Fees for various programs are competitively priced and affordable regardless of sponsor's income.

Full Day/Part Day/Hourly Care

Ages 6 weeks-Kindergarten*

 CDCs are on-post child care centers that offer full-day, part-day and hourly care for children in nationally accredited environments.

* In some communities, Kindergarten children may be located in the School Age Center

Army School Age Centers provide care during:

• Before school and after school
• School closures
• Seasonal and holiday school breaks
• Summer Camp
• Hourly Care

Children have access to computer labs and can receive help on daily homework assignments. Programs are nationally accredited and utilize standard curricula through formal partnerships with nationally-recognized organizations such as 4-H and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA).

* Depending on school configuration

Looking for a Teen Babysitter? Looking to be a Teen Babysitter? CYS offers training following the 4-H babysitter curriculum in becoming a certified Teen Babysitter. Teen military family members in grades 7 and up who wish to to expand and market themselves for babysitting jobs can be placed on the babysitter's referral list with parent permission.

Military parents needing babysitters must complete a request form located at Parent Central Services. Once parents complete the required form, they will receive a list of babysitter information based on specified requirements (location, availability, etc). After receiving a list of babysitters, parents can make arrangements directly with the babysitter. All arrangements and fees for care are between the parent and babysitter.

CYS offers Babysitting Referral Services for registered families. Babysitters on the referral list are 13 years or older, have certification in First Aid and CPR, and are trained in: 

• Developmentally appropriate play
• Recognition of child abuse/neglect
• Emergency procedures and interviewing

Stop by Parent Central Services or go back to the Register section to find out more information.

CYS provides additional child care beyond the regular facility opening hours.

• Kids On Site! (KOS) - On-site child care in a room adjacent to the parents attending unit meetings or events  

Kids On Site (KoS) KoS provides child care on site for your unit/organizational event at the location your event is being held. CYS will provide quality child care providers to watch children ages 6 weeks through 12 years on site. Your unit pays for this service through Parent Central Services. KoS is not available at all locations on post. For information, a quote or to schedule an event, contact Parent & Outreach Services.

• Volunteer Child Care in a Unit Setting (VCCUS) - CYS can help units to train volunteers to provide child care for unit functions

Volunteer Child Care in Unit Settings (VCCUS) VCCUS is a volunteer-based childcare program that allows for on-site care during meetings and events organized by military units, Army Community Service (ACS) groups or Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation. Through VCCUS, Parent & Outreach Services will provide training to volunteers from the military unit or organization. The program is designed to allow the exchange of free and temporary childcare services during unit sessions when the demand is high or when child development center services are not available. Parents and guardians of children in VCCUS must be attending the same function and must remain at the site while their child is under volunteer care.

Units interested in the VCCUS program should contact Parent & Outreach Services for more information.

CYS offers parents a Friday or Saturday night out on the town for children ages 6 weeks through 5th grade. We provide a snack and developmentally appropriate activities for your child.  

Contact Parent & Outreach Services for more information. 

* Available at select communities

CYS Services offers parents a day out on Friday or Saturday for children ages 6 weeks through 5th grade. We provide meals and snacks and developmentally appropriate activities for your child.   

Contact Parent & Outreach Services for more information. 

* Available at select communities

If you are interested in full-day or part-day child care, please visit http://www.militarychildcare.com to be placed on the waiting list for care.

Military Child Care dot com is your portal for child care at installations around the world. Children can only be placed in child care after submitting a request for care through Military Child Care com.

Registrations will take place telephonically, Fort Detrick 301-619-7100, Forest Glen 301-319-5532

Parent Central Services operates as a one-stop shop for child/youth registration for all delivery systems. We are your first stop for information, registration and referrals. For your child to participate in any CYS programs on Fort Detrick, you must complete our registration process.

Registration and program orientations are required for participation in CYS programs. Patrons must provide the following:

• Valid Military: Active Duty, DoD, or DoD Contractor ID Card
• Military Single/Dual Families: Family Care Plan
• Sponsor's Social Security Number
• Proof of Child Eligibility (birth certificate, vital records, DEERS enrollment or child military ID card)
• Child's up-to-date immunization record
• Proof of family income (pay statements for all adults in the household)
• Child's health assessment/physical
• 2 local emergency designee and telephone numbers

Families must attend a parent orientation prior to starting in the program. Check with Parent Central Services for specific times and dates for parent orientation at each program.

Families wishing to enroll their children in a program with a waiting list need to complete the waiting list application with Parent Central Services. Families are responsible for notifying Parent Central Services every 90 days to update their status, failure to do so will result in removal from the list. Those families who are expecting a child are encouraged to complete a waiting list application as soon as possible as infant care has a long waiting time for placement. CYS membership is transferable to other Army installations.

For additional program information or to schedule your appointment today, click here.

To download the Child & Youth Services (CYS) Standards of Conduct and Accountability Standing Operating Procedures, click here.

To download the Fort Detrick Parent Handbook, click here.

Child & Youth Services (CYS) fees are established annually by the Department of Defense standards and are based on total family income. Parents not providing documentation will be automatically charged the highest rate. Child care fees are subject to change and a 30 day advance notice will be given if such a change becomes necessary. FCC providers are encouraged to follow the CYS fee policy to determine fee payments.

Fort Detrick Child & Youth Services Fee Charts:

• 2020 - 2021 Child Development Center / Pre-Kindergarten
• 2020 - 2021 Kindergarten / School Age Center / Youth Services

Forest Glen Child & Youth Services Fee Charts:

• 2020 - 2021 Child Development Center / Pre-Kindergarten

Annual membership is FREE for all children. 2nd child receives 15% discount.

Army Family Covenant Discounts available for:

• Families of Wounded Warriors and Warriors in Transition
• Families of Fallen Warriors
• Families of Deployed Military and DoD Civilians
• Families of Military and DoD Civilians serving under the following orders: Temporary Change of Station (TCS) and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) unaccompanied tour and Temporary Duty (TDY) status for 90-179 days.
• Families of Deployed Soldiers as identified on the Rear Detachment and Personnel Availability Report.

CYS Volunteer

Parent volunteers are a very important resource for CYS. Registered children/youth benefit immensely from the knowledge and skill that volunteers provide to our programs. We're looking for enthusiastic people who want to help out, sharing their talents assisting and leading various activities such as reading to children, participating in field trips, making games, repairing toys, sewing with kids, etc.

Start by becoming a registered volunteer through Army Community Service's (ACS) Go-Volunteer to find out where your talents can be best used within CYS. By keeping track of your volunteer hours, you can qualify for Parent Participation Points.

Fort Detrick Child & Youth Services (CYS) provides Homeschooling Support Services through the School Support Services Office to all military, DoD Civilian, and Contract family members who have chosen to home school. School Support Services provides assistance in the area of technology lab, homework centers, fine arts, socialization, physical education, and summer camp adventures. Contact the Child Liaison Education Outreach Officer for more information on how School Support Services can assist your homeschooling needs.

Virginia Homeschooling - This Website can help you navigate the homeschooling maze! Visit the site for information on the laws regulating homeschooling in Virginia, support groups, local and state events, and much, much more. This site put all the best resources and sources of information at your fingertips to make your homeschooling adventure a success. More Info. 

Maryland Homeschooling - Homeschooling is a rewarding endeavor, filled with joys and challenges. This Website explore homeschooling in Maryland and give you the tools you need to make your homeschooling journey exciting, fun, and successful for you and your family. More Info. 

D.C. Homeschooling - Everyone, from a parent just considering homeschooling to the veteran homeschooler, has questions. To help, This Website has compiled the best resources, support, information, and ideas available to help you make your decision to homeschool and to successfully home educate your children. There are so many resources in D.C. that you can use to make homeschooling fun and enjoyable for every member of your family! More Info. 

Sports and Fitness Programs provide team sports, individual sports, fitness and health programs and, programming at Child Development Centers, School Age and Youth Programs. Pre-registration is required for Sports and Fitness Programs. Children and youth that are currently registered in CYS can be enrolled in Sports and Fitness using WebTrac.

The National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) has a website for evaluation of coaches. Parents have the opportunity to evaluate coaches on the NAYS website. Parents must have the coach member number to rate their coach. You can get this number from the CYS Sports and Fitness office. 

Sports Physical

A sports-specific physical must be completed annually, prior to the start of the sports season. The form must be completed with a doctor’s signature and stamp, then submitted to Parent Central Services during registration. Hint: The best time to get your child’s physical — if possible — is in July. This way, your child’s physical will be valid for all sports for one full year.

Sports' Physical

The Youth Center provides activities for youth typically in grades 6-12*. Through formal partnerships with nationally-recognized youth-serving organizations such as 4-H and Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) youth have access to programs, standardized curricula, special events, camps, scholarships, and more. Computer labs and homework assistance are available at every Youth Center.

There are two components to the Youth Program:

• The Middle School Program is generally for youth in grades 6-8*
• The Teen Program is generally for youth in grades 9-12

The Youth Program is open after school, school closures and summer. Specialty camps and trips are held throughout the year. 

Visit the Youth Center, Parent Central Services or download the Youth Self-Registration Form. 

* Based on school configuration

Youth Sponsorship

Sponsors for your middle school or high school teens are available either through the youth program or school.

Army Youth Sponsorship Program

The Youth Sponsorship Club can help your teen learn about their new community and make new friends. Getting involved quickly helps children and teens fit in and feel less stress associated with their PCS move. All it takes to join the club is a visit to the school age or youth center or contact the School Liaison Officer.

Student2Student (S2S)

The Student2Student program connects current middle school and high school students with transitioning students.

Youth Sponsorship Registration

Please send an email to the School Liaison Officer (SLO) to request a sponsor. Also, you can download the Youth Sponsor Request Form, complete and include any additional information that might be helpful to the sponsorship staff in the assignment process as they attempt to pair you with a sponsor whom you will be most compatible with.